Eco-Activate E-rickshaws Could Be Boon for Delhi Citizens

Eco-Activate and Vodafone are partnering the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in introducing E-rickshaws, an eco-friendly mode of transportation. Heavy and polluted traffic are highlighted as a major problem of the Indian capital city and this innovative move is said to offer a pollution free alternative mode of transportation for Delhi. The move is said to be inspired by the ongoing Common Wealth Games.

These hybrid rickshaws developed by the Eco-Activate is an addition to the out of home (OOH) industry. Telecom service provider Vodafone has associated with the project and hopes to make some positive contributions towards the conservation of the environment.

The e-rickshaw rolls out to the streets with an advertising space of 180 sq. ft inside and outside and this will visually promote the brand all over the city. The vehicle, according to a report by agencyfaqs, also features GPRS facility which may prove helpful for the unfamiliar passengers from outside the city. They will also be benefited from the English speaking drivers of these e-rickshaws.

Currently, there are 25 e-rickshaws operating in five different routes. There are five rickshaws for each route and these routes are through Chandni Chowk, Vishwavidyalaya, Saket, Greater Kailash-II (GK-II) and Aurobindo Marg. In the south-Delhi area including Saket, GK-II and Aurobindo Marg, the charges applicable will be Rs. 15 per person and Rs. 10 per person in Vishwavidyalaya and Chandni Chowk.

The company plans to increase the fleet of 25 autos to 40 by the end of October and to 100 by the end of this year. As per the contract with MCD, the company will be introducing 2000 e-rickshaws in the capital. The routes are expected to be expanded to other areas including Vikas Marg, Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony, Janak Puri District Centre, Rajouri Garden, and Karol Bagh.

The battery of this vehicle needs to be charged for 6-8 hours and the top speed of the vehicle will be 25kmph. It is manufactured with Polyethylene – an elastic material, to prevent overturning if the vehicle collides. The production cost of the vehicle will be Rs. 1.75 lakhs. These vehicles are said to complement the ‘Green Delhi and Clean Delhi’ motto of the Delhi government.